I am a real person who occupies an office. David Rohrer in The Sacred Wilderness of Pastoral Ministry Then God said, ’Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…’ then the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man … Continue reading To My Fellow Pastors…who are People too!
Every aspect of our lives has been tested – the landscape of our lives has undergone a radical upheaval. Living in Michigan, there have been a few times when I have experienced a “white out” while driving in a winter storm. It is completely disorienting. All the familiar points of reference disappear. This season we … Continue reading Reentry – A Pandemic Renewal Plan Part 2
Proverbs 4:23 – “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” (ESV) “Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts.” MSG 1 Timothy 4:16 - “Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will … Continue reading The Answer for Isolation & Loneliness in Ministry Life
In my last blog, I began to explore what I think are the top five reasons pastors (and probably quite a few of the rest of us) don’t ask for help. I know that in my own life, I am constantly amazed at how often these tendencies crop up. The daily challenge is to lean … Continue reading I Can Manage on My Own… Part 2 of “5 Reasons Pastors Don’t Ask for Help – and what can happen if you do!”
I hate asking for help. I think most people find it difficult, especially when it comes to the kinds of challenges that are more personal or relational. A number of years ago, a famous rock and roll star wrote a song during a time in his life that he self-described as his “fat … Continue reading 5 Reasons Pastors Don’t Ask for Help…(and what can happen when you do!)
As pastors, laboring among broken people (and being broken ourselves!) there’s a lot of mess. Sometimes it feels like all you do is clean up the mess: “Clean-up on aisle 10!” So much work and effort, and it is most often unnoticed and unrewarding. I recently concluded teaching a class called “When God Hands You … Continue reading The Daily Grind
“Do you know where your pastor is?” I am not asking about where he is physically; that would be weird. (Besides, if he has a smartphone the GPS will handle that.) What I am asking is, do you know the emotional and spiritual state of the one who shepherds the flock you are a part … Continue reading Do You Know Where Your Pastor Is?
“It is not good for the man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). We are all familiar with the typical questions pastors get asked – “How big is your church? What’s your annual budget? How many services do you have?” But there is one question that pastors rarely get asked: “How many true friends do you … Continue reading Isolation and Loneliness – the Danger Zone for Pastors
In part one of this short series, I talked about the need to be aware that conflict is inevitable in ministry. Another component in finding hope in the midst of conflict is the matter of self-awareness. We all enter into our walk with Jesus and into our ministry with a baggage claim in hand. Though … Continue reading Finding Hope in the Midst of Conflict – Part 2
If I were to ask you for the most common reason pastors are exited from their churches, what would be your guess? Lousy theology? Bad work habits? Lack of concern for the members? Drawing from numerous studies conducted over the last 4 decades, the experts agree that conflict – “the ugly pastor/pew rift over how … Continue reading Finding Hope in the Midst of Conflict – Part 1
AN ENCOURAGING WORD 